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Let me ask you guys a question. I recently purchased a 15 SGS and took it to the dealership yesterday with an rattle that was driving me crazy. No real fix to the sound I'm hearing but still working it. When I was explaining the sound I told them I hear it in any gear between 2100-2500 RPMs even at 60 MPH. The guy behind the counter said I need to be cruising at any speed at 3000 RPMs. He said I would get better fuel mileage and the bike would perform better. I did this on the ride home and it sounded like I needed to change gears at 3000 RPMs. Just curious what RPM range do most of you run at. I was doing 3000 at 45MPH in 2nd gear and it didn't seem right to me.
My 2012 Ultra with the stuff in my signature...sweet spot seems 2,500 to 3,200. I like to keep it above 2,500 to keep it in the torque curve. If I am in residential areas and behaving myself then I'll keep it around 2,000... But that is about the only time.
Thanks yeah that's where it seemed loud was residential. In 6th gear at 80 MPH it didn't seem bad but at slower speeds it seemed a bit high. Learning the ropes I guess.
The manual for my 04 says peak torque is at 3000. These are fairly large pistons but it is still not made for low end torque. I do love the sound when you power up from ~1500 though
I usually don't pay attention to RPM unless I am lugging the engine or wide open. 3000 RPM in 6th I am running right at 80. This is where I cruise depending on the highway. 70 is actually a lot more comfortable as there is not as much wind and the pipes are not as loud.
To answer your question. I have a 2014 SGS and the engine and gearing is best at or near 3000 RPM. Unless you are running over 65 to 70 MPH, the use of 6 gear is not necessary. 5th will keep you in the power band most of the time from 50 to 60 MPH. Just remember anything less than 2500 RPM will put you into lugging the engine which for HD's is not good.
With the 103" motor I'm a short-shifter - never get up to 3000, usually between 2000-2500 in the lower gears. btw, the manual says you can be in 6th gear at 50 mph and that's what I do...
Downshift (Deceleration) Gear Speeds: Six Speed
GEAR CHANGE mph
Sixth to fifth 50
Fifth to fourth 40
Fourth to third 30
Third to second 20
Second to first 10
low rpms hurt your motor--- I find that many riders with loud pipes scare themselves with the noise and try to run at a lower than optimal rpm.
low rpms put alot of strain on the bottom end bearings of the motor ( "lugging" when the motor doesn;t have a smooth forward rotation but actually stops or slows in teh cycle)
oil pressure and volume is also rpm dependent...oil not only lubricates all the moving parts but is used to remove heat from the hottest parts of the motor...pistons and heads.
if the oil isn;t flowing, then those parts of the motor become hot spots.
decreased mpg.
depending on cams ( that is the BIG determiner) most bikes will develop better power spinning faster ...a great range is 2800~3200.
for riders without a tach google:
28_ratiosmpg
that should find you a rpm/gear/mph chart from andrews cams.
as noted above, those of us with older bikes and 5 speeds know that we can run 4000 rpms all day every day with no ill effects
riding "in the power band" allows you to get away from a hazard...AND allows you to slow just by closing the throttle. in canyon or stop and go traffic, this saves your brakes for when you need them.
A modern Harley should sound more like a sewing machine than a tractor.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Mar 13, 2015 at 11:10 AM.
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RPM range question
